It's a Good Fence Kind of Day

Happiness is...

...being inside, looking out. 

Linking to Good Fences

Wednesday Hodge Podge

1. What's your best piece of advice for a newly married couple? I'm asking for a friend.

Lots of hugs and hand holding, learn the art of compromise, remember mean spirited words cannot be taken back, talk to each other, be best friends, and remember to laugh—a lot! 

Punky Doodle and Critter

2. Before we're too far into the new year I wanted to post a question Teresa submitted during the December giveaway. Teresa blogs over at Being Refined As Silver, so everyone go say hi.
Teresa asks, "What were you doing on December 31st, 1999?"and "Did you or your family make preparations for Y2K?"

I was still living in Dallas. I stayed home, opened a bottle of wine, and watched the ball drop on TV. I didn't make any Y2K preparations. I had faith the greedy businesses and industries would find a way to keep those computer systems working.

3. According to Global Language Monitor, the most used word of 2014 isn't a word. It's the heart emoji. Huh? How can something that's not a word be the most used word, but I digress. What do you think was your most used word in 2014?

Funny. When someone tells a story they think is amusing, I always say, "That's funny" whether it was or not. 

4. Speaking of words, it's that time again. Time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, and general uselessness) in 2015. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's top vote getters are-

bae (before anyone else), polar vortex, hack, skill set, swag, foodie, curate/curated, friend-raising, enhanced interrogation, cra-cra (as in crazy), takeaway, and -nation (a suffering sports suffix).

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?

Let them all go! But I'm especially disgusted by cra-cra!

5.  January is National Hot Tea month? Are you a fan? Do you like flavored teas? How do you take your tea? Have a favorite cup or teapot? How many cups of tea do you consume in a given day? 

I am a fan of tea. I don't drink it everyday, but in the winter, I often have a cup of decaf in the evening. I usually drink green tea. I do have a teapot with matching cups. When I lived closer to daughter, we used to watch Gilmore Girls and have tea together. I miss that.

6. Whatever happened to my diamond?  I was at my Uncle's visitation when I happened to notice my one carat marquis diamond setting was missing. Poor Uncle was practically abandoned while everyone searched the more than busy carpet pattern for my diamond. Sadly, it was never found.

7. What is one book on your must-read list this winter? 

It was Gray Mountain by John Grisham. I already read it. 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Mostly what I'm thinking is...it's cold. 15° right now. It's supposed to be 44° Saturday. Heat wave!!!!

My one and only granddaughter turned 15 yesterday. I'm trying to think of something special to do for her 16th. Any suggestions?

Rubbish Tuesday #34

Fort Pickens is a pentagonal historic United States military fort on Santa Rosa Island in the Pensacola, Florida area. It is named after American Revolutionary War hero Andrew Pickens. The fort was completed in 1834 and remained in use
until 1947.

After the War of 1812, the United States decided to fortify all of its major ports. French engineer Simon Bernard was appointed to design Fort Pickens. Construction of the fort lasted from 1829 to 1834, with 21.5 million bricks being used to build it. Much of the construction was done by enslaved African Americans. Its construction was supervised by Colonel William H. Chase of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. During the American Civil War, he joined the Confederacy and was appointed to command Florida troops.

Fort Pickens was the largest of a group of forts designed to fortify Pensacola Harbor. It supplemented Fort Barrancas, Fort McRee, and the Navy Yard. Located at the western tip of Santa Rosa Island, just offshore from the mainland, Pickens guarded the island and the entrance to the harbor.

By the time of the American Civil War, Fort Pickens had not been occupied since the Mexican-American War. Despite its dilapidated condition, Lieutenant Adam J. Slemmer, in charge of United States forces at Fort Barrancas, determined that Pickens was the most defensible of the posts in the area.

Captives from Indian Wars in the West were transported to the East Coast to be held as prisoners. From October 1886 to May 1887, Geronimo, a noted Apache war chief, was imprisoned in Fort Pickens, along with several of his warriors. Their families were held at Fort Marion in St. Augustine.

~Photos courtesy Sonny Boy
~Words courtesty of Wikipedia


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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the fun.

My idea was to have a place to post 'old things'. Anything old

and/or deteriorating such as, but not limited to, old houses, barns, outbuildings, old cars, rusty things, antiques, interesting junk, or it can be something in pristine condition, but just old. 

 

1. Link to a post featuring photos of something old.

2. Link back to Rubbish by Roan in your post.

3. As time allows, visit other participants and comment on their posts.

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Willie Nilly Friday 5 and a Little Gulf View

I want to go somewhere warm! Although this morning it is a balmy 12°! Would love to be enjoying a view of the ocean like below. Another photo courtesy of Sonny Boy. 

Life is so quiet right now it's difficult to think of 5 things, but I'll give it a try. 

1. On the plus side, we haven't had a lot of snow this winter, but Sunday we are expecting ice. Ice scares me more than snow. It's easier to fall down and break something or have a wreck if you dare get out on the road. Is it May yet?

2. As of December 1st, we have a new elected boss. Trying to adjust. 'nough said!

3. Oh yeah! My brother, who is 66 has been summoned for jury duty for the first time in his life. I've never been on jury duty, have you? He isn't happy. I normally am the Clerk of Court during jury trials, but now that we have a new clerk, she will take over. Whew! 

4. I thought about doing the 52 weeks of cooking thing to get back into the cooking groove. Hubs does most of the cooking, which I like, but miss getting in the kitchen sometimes. Since I missed the first week and don't really have time to start a new project, I've decided not to bother. I'll just try a new recipe once a month or so and NOT blog about it!

5. I don't make new years resolutions. I never keep them. Do you? However, I did have a chat with myself about unfinished projects and will try to work on those this winter when I don't want to get out.

Linking to Willy Nilly Friday Five 

Good Fences

It's darn cold outside! Currently 1° and that is actual temperature, not wind chill. We haven't had good enough weather to entice my camera outside. So, I dug through the archives and found some fences, but then saw this recent shot. I didn't take this pic, courtesy of Sonny Boy. He and his clan spent the holidays at Perdido Key, Florida. Lucky him! This is the beach. 

 Perdido Key, Florida

Well, it is about a fence. 

Findley

Fergus is such a nice, kind, and considerate dog. He is quiet and well mannered. Findley on the other hand, is the opposite. He is very vocal. He doesn't bark, but he talks. The second the alarm goes off, he starts in letting us know he wants out of his crate. I don't want to say he whines, although there are elements of whine there. Not sure how to describe it. He talks when he wants a drink or wants to go outside. Although he looks like Fergus, he is very different. 

We found out a few breeds that 'could be' Findley's father. There is a Wire Haired Terrier, a Welsh Corgi, and a black and white Husky in the neighborhood. We ruled out the Corgi early on since Findley is much to tall. The vet thinks it is the Husky because of how vocal he is. Maybe we can tell more when he gets older. 

Findley loves to eat, it's hard to fill him up, but he always eats laying down.  He is now affectionately known as Findley The Tank. 

Linking to Good Fences

Rubbish Tuesday #33

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I finally shook my malady. I should have gone to the doc, but I'm one of 'those' people. I'm pretty sure it was bronchitis. 

These pics are courtesy of Sonny Boy. 

The first Pensacola Light was the lightship Aurora Borealis. It was moved to Pensacola in 1823 from its previous post at the mouth of the Mississippi River after a lighthouse had been completed there. Because of frequent rough seas, the lightship had to be anchored inside the bay entrance, behind Santa Rosa Island, and could not reliably be seen from ships outside the bay.

In 1825 a 40-foot (12 m) tower was built on a 40-foot (12 m) bluff at the south entrance to Pensacola Bay. This light was also partially obscured by trees close to the tower and on Santa Rosa Island. In 1858 a new tower was built on the north side of the bay entrance, and was lit on January 1, 1859. The new, and current, tower is 150 feet (46 m) tall, and also sits on a 40-foot (12 m) bluff located on the Pensacola Naval Air Station, placing the light 190 feet (58 m) above sea level.

~wikipedia

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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the fun.

My idea was to have a place to post 'old things'. Anything old

and/or deteriorating such as, but not limited to, old houses, barns, outbuildings, old cars, rusty things, antiques, interesting junk, or it can be something in pristine condition, but just old. 

 

1. Link to a post featuring photos of something old.

2. Link back to Rubbish by Roan in your post.

3. As time allows, visit other participants and comment on their posts.

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Taking a Break

Just to let you know, I'm going to take a break until after the holidays. I'll be back in January. This nasty bug I have is still hanging on and I have tons to do to get ready for Christmas.

But can't leave without one more pic of my boys.

Wishing all of you a wonderful holday season. See you next year...

Rubbish Tuesday #32

For those of you who have been kind enough to ask, Yes, I am fine. I'm just way busy these days. Things should slow down after the first of the year. Until then, I'll be sporadic in my posting. Thanks for  your patience.

I haven't been out for a ramble in a long while, so I'm really scraping the bottom of the barrell today. Hubs has had pneumonia, but I'm happy to say is on the mend. I was ill all weekend, but feeling much better this morning. I hope all of you out there are skipping winter maladies. 

So on to my minimal post. This past Thanksgiving was the 1st Annual Pie Contest. Of course, I was the winner. We talked about what the prize would be, but we never came up with a good idea. We basically decided on bragging rights. But on the morning of the event, I was surprised to find SIL had made a trophy out of scraps...a.k.a. Rubbish!

The entries were, counter-clockwise from back left, French Silk, Cherry, Pumpkin Pecan, and Pear. As you can see, it is a Traveling Trophy, but I'm thinking it will be permanently ensconced in MY house. 

Can you guess which pie won? I'll comment with the answer.

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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the fun.

My idea was to have a place to post 'old things'. Anything old

and/or deteriorating such as, but not limited to, old houses, barns, outbuildings, old cars, rusty things, antiques, interesting junk, or it can be something in pristine condition, but just old. 

 

1. Link to a post featuring photos of something old.

2. Link back to Rubbish by Roan in your post.

3. As time allows, visit other participants and comment on their posts.

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Rubbish Tuesday #31

I'm b-a-a-ck again! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and had lots of fun, food, and family. 

I Found this old truck in September and I'm hoping against all hope I haven't posted it before, but I don't think so. I'm running out of Rubbish. Need to go for a drive...

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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the fun.

My idea was to have a place to post 'old things'. Anything old

and/or deteriorating such as, but not limited to, old houses, barns, outbuildings, old cars, rusty things, antiques, interesting junk, or it can be something in pristine condition, but just old. 

 

1. Link to a post featuring photos of something old.

2. Link back to Rubbish by Roan in your post.

3. As time allows, visit other participants and comment on their posts.

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Rubbish Tuesday #30

More drive by shootings. I apologize profusely, as it seems I'm always doing, for not being around much. I've been busy with family, work, and now getting ready for the holiday, so I doubt I will be around much this week either. So here I am apologizing in advance for slow comments.

Above is a caboose at the end of a parked train. It's rare to see a caboose these days. This one looks rather old.

Another drive by of an old barn up on a hill.

Linking to The Barn Collective

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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the fun.

My idea was to have a place to post 'old things'. Anything old

and/or deteriorating such as, but not limited to, old houses, barns, outbuildings, old cars, rusty things, antiques, interesting junk, or it can be something in pristine condition, but just old. 

 

1. Link to a post featuring photos of something old.

2. Link back to Rubbish by Roan in your post.

3. As time allows, visit other participants and comment on their posts.

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Good Fences

Findley update—BUSY!

I'm behind commenting yet again! Work is extra hours and Findley's potty training is a full time job! I'll catch up when I can. 

This horse farm was somewhere along the interstate. At first I thought we were in Kentucky, but that would have been out of our way.

This gate is a few miles up the road and I have posted a portion of this gate before. This is a different angle.

Linking to Good Fences

Rubbish Tuesday #29

This week I'm posting an old building that has housed several different restaurants. This was formerly Beef and Bean. I assume it was sold, thus the name change to...

...Big Foot's B-B-Q.

I'm wondering if Bigfoot or Big Foot hunts the meat, cooks the meat, or is the meat.

One day we may stop and check it out.

I will admit he looks a little scary on this sign.

This barn was just down the road from Big Foot's place. It is old and rusty and does fit with Rubbish Tuesday, but I'm linking it to
 The Barn Collective

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the fun.

My idea was to have a place to post 'old things'. Anything old

and/or deteriorating such as, but not limited to, old houses, barns, outbuildings, old cars, rusty things, antiques, interesting junk, or it can be something in pristine condition, but just old. 

 

1. Link to a post featuring photos of something old.

2. Link back to Rubbish by Roan in your post.

3. As time allows, visit other participants and comment on their posts.

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Hey Bird - Dog

I took my lunch out to the Rez one sunny day right before Halloween. October 24th to be exact. It was a gorgeous 70 degree day. Last night we had our first dusting of snow and it is now 30 degrees.

I only had my little point and shoot with me when I saw this Kingfisher land in a tree over at the Rez. Bad shot, but hey, it's a bird. I have so few opportunities these days.

This was the view from my picnic table. The Kingfisher was in that tree to the right of the red one. I thought the old point and shoot did pretty good from that distance.

And last, but not least, a Fergus and Findley update. They wore each other out by 5:00 p.m. Fergus was always so good as a puppy. He never went into areas he knew he shouldn't. Findley is not Fergus! While I was unloading the dishwasher, the Findley found one of JD's slippers and was having a chew in the middle of the living room. Bad pup! But I had to laugh.

Later, I wasn't laughing quite as much. :)

Linking to the Bird D'pot

Findley

Findley has arrived. Fergus can't take his eyes off him. He even preferred to watch Findley sleep than stare at us during lunch.

So here are the first pics...

 I think Fergus was advising Findley of the house rules. So far so good. He 

Willy Nilly Sky Watch

Lots of blue in this shot!

Now on to my Willy Nilly Five

1. It's darn cold this morning! 17 degrees! The windows are frosted up on my car, which means I'll need to go out and start the car or scrape the windows and I can't find the ice scraper from last winter. I sure do miss the garage I had when I lived in Dallas. I didn't really need it there, but here I do. Must consider building one!

2. I'm enjoying a hot cup of coffee on this frosty morning. I don't think I could ever give it up. What about you? Are you a coffee drinker or do you prefer some other morning beverage?

3. I've been working on a family cook book to give my kids as Christmas gifts. It has become a huge project. I've tried taking pics of some of the recipes so the cookbook will be more interesting than a bunch of typing, but don't have enough. So, I've decided to put in a few pics of family members involved in the eating, drinking, or preparing of food. I think it makes for more interest. Pics such as this one of Punky Doodle...

You thought that? Really? It's cider!

4. Fergus has decided he doesn't like my being on the computer, so he jumps up on the bed behind me, puts his paws on the arm of the chair, and nudges me rather harshly with his snout! Guess I better hurry so I can get in some ear scratching time before work.

5. Last, but not least and you may have heard this before, Findley will come to live with us tomorrow. I sure hope Fergus likes him!

Linking to Willy Nilly Friday Five

Good Fences

From our road trip last week. I worked on my drive by shootings skills.

Don't fence me in....

These traffic barriers are sort of like fences, don't you think? Although they don't always work. I once saw a car come on over to the other side even with the barrier.

And back to my favorite kind of fence...

Linking to Good Fences

Sunrise and Hodgepodge

Linking to Rurality

1. We celebrate Veteran's Day in the US of A on November 11th. When did you last interact with a member of the armed forces (either currently serving or retired)? Have you ever written a letter to a soldier, bought a meal or coffee for a solider, said an unprompted thank you to a soldier you encountered out and about somewhere? If you're not in the US, comment on a similar holiday in your own country.

I do write letters to soldiers during the Christmas season. I saw one of my relatives yesterday and thanked him for his service. I see my husband every day. My father's brother was killed in France the day after the Normandy invasion. We are a family filled with veterans.

2. You can have fifty pounds of anything at all (except money)...what would you choose?

A black or chocolate lab.

3. When did you last receive an invitation in the 'real' mail? What was it for and did you attend? When it comes to RSVP-ing, are you an 'early responder' or a 'last minute, barely-under-the-wire' kind of guest?

Last year. It was an invitation to graduation. I'm always early responding. I know what it's like waiting for those last minute people. 

4. What's something you really don't like to waste?

Toothpaste. Must squeeze that tube until the very last drop is used.

5. Cheers, Friends, MASH, Seinfeld...of the ones listed, your favorite long-running sitcom?

Friends. I didn't watch any of the others. I know. I know. Unamerican! 

6. What decision are you glad you made?

After Willie crossed the rainbow bridge, we decided not to get another dog. And then we changed our minds. Thus Fergus.

7. In this month of 'Thanksgiving' what is one thing that's different today than it was a year ago that you're grateful for?

There hasn't been much change in our lives since last year, so I'm going to say I'm grateful we are all still healthy.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Okay, so much about dogs in this post. But Saturday, that would be three days away, we are getting Findley. Findley and Fergus have the same mother, but different fathers. Fergus lost his dad before he was born. Findley's dad is of unknown origin. Seems Mom, a Border Collie, had a one night stand. They think the perpetrator was a wire haired terrior. I haven't seen Findley, but I hear he has a beard and mustache. I can't wait to meet him. Yes, I'm getting him sight unseen. We do know he is black and white like Fergus.

Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

Rubbish Tuesday #28

I'm b-a-a-a-k! I've been out of town for a few days. Road trip with Punky Doodle. Along the route, somewhere in Missouri, I managed a few drive-by shootings. I have no idea what they were in their former life, but I liked the look of them in this one.

I do know this one was once an elevator. The sign helps. :)

No sign here.

Friend Patty Perfect, who lives in Springfield, Mo, was a good hostess. We enjoyed a nice glass of wine with dinner. I'm not a beer drinker, but some preferred a nice cold beer. I had her save the bottles for my Rubbish post. 

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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the fun.

My idea was to have a place to post 'old things'. Anything old

and/or deteriorating such as, but not limited to, old houses, barns, outbuildings, old cars, rusty things, antiques, interesting junk, or it can be something in pristine condition, but just old. 

 

1. Link to a post featuring photos of something old.

2. Link back to Rubbish by Roan in your post.

3. As time allows, visit other participants and comment on their posts.

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Good Fences

These shots were taken prior to the Halloween winds taking most of the leaves off the trees and during a walk around Lincoln Log Cabin Historical Site.

No fences below, but the evening sun shows up those amber waves of grain, or in this case, a soybean field.

The fields are no longer amber...

...the monstrous combines blew in and confiscated all the grain.

I've left JD and Fergus to fend for themselves for a few days. Have a great week and weekend.

Linking to Good Fences

Rubbish Tuesday #27

It's time for Rubbish again. The time sure flies. 

Fergus and I went for one last walk at Lincoln Log Cabin Historical Site. I doubt we will go back until spring, unless a nice day happens along. I doubt that will happen. It's darn cold this morning! The thermometer says 44 degrees, but it sure felt colder when I let Fergus out. Anyway, here he is sniffing an old post.

This is Phullis D. Cow and her sweet babe. The old wagon is used to clean the 'stuff' out of their stable.

Old Windmill

Old Lantern

The Greenup Train Depot. It has been rennovated and is now a museum.

And last, but not least, one of those carts you see at the train depot in all those old westers JD likes to watch.